Chapter 108: The Note from Taylor

Marie I stood frozen in Charles's apartment. Charles looked me in the eye, his face impassive as he told me he couldn’t explain what was happening. The way his Adam’s apple bobbed, as though swallowing a bitter truth, did nothing to comfort me. I could see the uncertainty in his narrowed eyes, but he remained tight-lipped. “Charles, this isn’t fair,” I whispered, my voice trembling as I clenched my fists at my sides, my knuckles white. “You owe me an explanation.” But he simply turned away, running his fingers through his messy brown hair and refusing to meet my gaze. His silence felt like a slap to the face, one that left my cheeks burning. Just as I was about to demand answers, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I snatched it out, desperate for any distraction from Charles. Crystal’s name flashed on the screen. I felt relieved until I noticed the urgency in her voice. “Marie, you need to come home. Now,” she said in a rush, and I could hear the frantic edge in her usually calm tone